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Captivating stories charm in Middle Eastern classic 'Arabian Nights'
By Shayna Meliker
Posted: 2/19/08, 1:00 AM EST Section: Feature
Tiny revolving spotlights flash across the stage, a loud wind tears through the theater and robed actors tumble in from behind the blood red stage curtains.
So begins the energetic "Arabian Nights," which runs through Sunday in the Arthur Storch Theater at Syracuse Stage. The performance reflects a professional production with a unique plotline and stage movement. Incorporating acrobatics into the story, students of Syracuse University's Drama Department brought the narratives of the famous collection of Middle Eastern tales to life.
The production follows the storytelling talent of Scheherezade (Jackie Ganz), the new bride of the cruel caliph Shahryar (Steven Hosking), who marries virgins for one night and kills them at sunrise. In an attempt to save her own life, Scheherezade, draped in a flowing red robe, entertains the knife-wielding king by sharing tales of life in the Middle East and cuts each story short before dawn. The cliffhangers force the king to keep her alive so she can continue her anecdotes the following night.
Both Scheherezade and Shahryar remain on stage throughout the entire production, interacting with each other and with the characters performing the stories that Scheherezade relates. Surprisingly, this isn't at all confusing for the audience - it's actually helpful in keeping track of the characters and how each person works into the specific tales.
The set portrayed the ancient mood and era of the production, with seven hanging lanterns, a faded pink backdrop and deep red drape curtains at the sides of the stage.
Embedded narratives mark the format of the production; each tale is a story within a story. The concept is effective for most of the play, but confusion sometimes arises when multiples stories unfold before the first is finished.
A limited cast size also involves actors portraying multiple characters in similar costume and makeup, without enough prominent changes in vocal quality and movement to distinguish between individuals.
So begins the energetic "Arabian Nights," which runs through Sunday in the Arthur Storch Theater at Syracuse Stage. The performance reflects a professional production with a unique plotline and stage movement. Incorporating acrobatics into the story, students of Syracuse University's Drama Department brought the narratives of the famous collection of Middle Eastern tales to life.
The production follows the storytelling talent of Scheherezade (Jackie Ganz), the new bride of the cruel caliph Shahryar (Steven Hosking), who marries virgins for one night and kills them at sunrise. In an attempt to save her own life, Scheherezade, draped in a flowing red robe, entertains the knife-wielding king by sharing tales of life in the Middle East and cuts each story short before dawn. The cliffhangers force the king to keep her alive so she can continue her anecdotes the following night.
Both Scheherezade and Shahryar remain on stage throughout the entire production, interacting with each other and with the characters performing the stories that Scheherezade relates. Surprisingly, this isn't at all confusing for the audience - it's actually helpful in keeping track of the characters and how each person works into the specific tales.
The set portrayed the ancient mood and era of the production, with seven hanging lanterns, a faded pink backdrop and deep red drape curtains at the sides of the stage.
Embedded narratives mark the format of the production; each tale is a story within a story. The concept is effective for most of the play, but confusion sometimes arises when multiples stories unfold before the first is finished.
A limited cast size also involves actors portraying multiple characters in similar costume and makeup, without enough prominent changes in vocal quality and movement to distinguish between individuals.
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